Metal structure



June 6, 19.???3. A. H. SCHAFFERT f-'VLLTAL STRUCTURE Filed July 3, 1930 Patented June 6, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ADOLF H. SCHAFFEBT, OF YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO TRUSCON STEEL COM- PANY, OF YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN METAL STRUCTURE Application led July 3, 1930. Serial No. 465,689.

In that type of building structures in which sheet metal units are employed for roof decking and the like, the units are made in lengths and are secured to their supports or foundation side by side, and interiitted relation. It has been found however, that there is a tendency of these units to spread apart, so that over an extensive area there may be a material widening or alteration `which creates difiiculties in securing the proper alinenient, etc.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel form of structure in .which the units both interfit and interlock in such a way that their proper relation is at all times assured, the formation being such that the units can be easily assembled into a complete structure and each unit can be individually fastened in place with ease and expedition. f. v

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is an end elevation of a portion of a roof deck embodying the present invention, it being understood, however, that this invention is not necessarily restricted to a decking, but may be employed for other structural purposes.

Figure 2 is a detail sectional View on the v line 2 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 3 3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a detail perspective view of one end portion of a unit or member.

In the embodiment disclosed, one of a series of supporting beams is shown at 5, and is I- shaped in cross section, as clearly illustrated in Figure 2. On this are mounted the members or units constituting a deck or other structural formation, each unit being designated generally by the reference numeral 6. As these units are duplicates, a description of one is believed to be sufficient. The unit 6 is preferably of sheet metal and of channeled formation, thereby producing a facing wall 7 and side walls 8 and 9 disposed at right angles to the facing wall 7. One of these side walls 8 terminates at its free edge in an outset longitudinally disposed flange 10. The other side wall 9 is in like manner provided with an outset longitudinally disposed flange 10 and is rounded in cross section as shown.

.The facing wall 7 is further provided at its juncture with the side wall 9 with an inwardly channeled portion forminga groove 16, that is located at the inner side of the side wall 9 and is yrounded in cross section as shown. l

These members or units are, as usual, located side by side, and as sho'wn in Figure 1, the side wall 8 of one member lies alongside the side Wall 9 of the next adjacent member. The flange 10 engages in the groove 13 of the adjacent member. Inasmuch as the flange 11 extends beyond the wall 8, it is exposed so as to receive a fastener for securing the members to the supporting beam 5. Thus in the present showing this fastener is in the form of a clip 17 that is engaged around the upper flanges of the beam qand is provided with a lip 18 that engages over the flange 11. It will be noted moreover that the tongue 15 of one member is received in the groove 16 of the other and because of the rounded contour of the parts one part can turn with respect to the other as the members are successively placed. As the outer wall'19 of the groove is lower than the inner Wall, the facing plates of the various members lie in the same plane. By interlocking the outer portions of the units or members 6, namely, at the juncture of the facing walls 7 with the side walls 8 and 9, and because of the snug lit of theftongues 15 vin the channels 16, the units cannot spread apart, but are always `maintained in close interfitting relation so that lost space or fanning even in extended lengths of material cannot take place. The units moreover can be easily assembled. When one unit is in place, the flange 11 isexposed and the/clips 17 can be readily placed in their holding positions. The next unit can then be slipped into place and its exposed flange 11 secured, the operation being repeated until the deck or other structure is laid.

From the foregoing, it is through that the construction, operation and many advantages of the herein described invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without further description, and it will be understood that various changes in the size, shape, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

What I claim, is:

1. A structure of the character set forth, comprising channel members, each having a facing wall and angularly disposed side flanges, the facing wal having in one of its side margins, an outwardly open longitudinal groove -that is transversely rounded, said facing wall being provided along its opposite side margin with an underhung tongue that is also transversely rounded and snugly interfits in thegroove of the adjacent member to interlock the adjacent members and prevent their separation, said interitting tongue and groove permitting one member to swing with respect to the other in placing the members successively in position.

l2. A structure of the character set forth, comprising channel members, each having a facing wall and angularly disposed side flanges, one of the side 'flanges having an outset base flange and an inset groove above the same, the other side flange having an outset locking lange that is transversely slidable into and out of the groove of the adjacent side flange, and a detachable interlocking hinge connection between the adjacent margins of the facing Walls of adjoining members, said locking lange when in the groove operating to prevent the detachment of the interlocking hinge connection and said hinge connection permitting the relative swinging movements of the members to cause the locking flange to engage in the grooves.

In testimony whereof, I aiiix my signature.

ADOLF H. SCHAFFERT. 

